ShowtimeAnytime
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Showtime websites used visitors’ browsers to mine cryptocurrency
Over the weekend, visitors to Showtime's website or its streaming site ShowtimeAnytime might have noticed their computers slowing down a bit. That's because someone slipped in some JavaScript into the sites that caused them to siphon off processing time from users' browsers in order to mine the cryptocurrency Monero. The Register reports that the software took up as much as 60 percent of visitors' CPU capacity.
Showtime's streaming apps can download video for offline viewing
A day after trumpeting that it's coming to cord-cutting Sling TV, Showtime is helping out another neglected group: Offline viewers. The premium network announced that its Showtime and Showtime Anytime apps now let users download content to watch later in both standard and 720p high definition format (or up to 1080p on tablets).
Comcast unlocks HBO and Showtime streaming to Amazon Fire TV
Streaming services that use a cable TV subscription have an annoying wrinkle, where sometimes the provider can block them from working in places for apparently no reason at all. For Comcast customers that was the case for HBO Go and Showtime on Amazon's Fire TV and Fire TV stick, but starting today that changes. Like the agreement it reached a few months ago with Roku, Comcast is suddenly playing nice with Amazon's streaming hardware. Unfortunately, that courtesy still does not extend to Sony's PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 4, but according to Comcast it supports over 90 networks across 18 devices and expects that number to grow, so maybe there is hope.
Comcast, Roku cut a deal for HBO Go and Showtime streaming (update)
On the same day HBO announced its streaming service is on the Amazon Fire TV, Roku has news of its own. Re/code found an FCC filing revealing that the media streamer folks have come to an agreement with Comcast. That means the cable giant's customers will finally be able to use HBO Go and Showtime Anytime on Roku media streamers, after years of the apps refusing to authenticate, making an ugly joke of the "TV Everywhere" slogan. While neither side has commented publicly or announced when the change will take effect, we've also heard that Comcast is talking to Amazon and could allow HBO Go access on its box / dongle soon. Update: And... it's live right now. Roku has put up a blog post announcing the change and interested users should be able to try it out immediately. We still don't know why it took so long, but we're glad it's done.
Showtime Anytime is now streaming on Xbox One
Showtime delivered its library of live and on-demand streaming to the Xbox 360 back in July, and now it's doing the same for Microsoft's latest console. Xbox One owners can now get in on the action too, as Homeland, Dexter, Californication and more are available via Showtime Anytime. As you might expect, the app plays nice with Kinect, allowing you to browse the lineup with voice and gesture controls rather than a controller or remote. It'll also let you pin whatever your current obsession is to your home screen for easy access. If you're paying for a cable subscription, access to Showtime Anytime on the console is available at no additional charge.
CBS and Dish reach TV deal that includes Showtime streaming
That was fast. Just half a day after CBS yanked its programming from Dish Network in some large cities, the two companies have reached a deal that puts those channels back in action. They're not revealing the financial side of things, but it's apparent that Dish made some concessions to both get CBS back and bolster its internet streaming plans. The satellite TV provider now has numerous Showtime rights that include Anytime access, TV Everywhere and eventual "over-the-top" (read: internet-only) service, but it also has to turn off AutoHop ad skipping on CBS shows for the first week after they air. That's not so hot if you diligently record The Good Wife on your DVR, but it's good news if you prefer to watch Showtime on your own terms. [Image credit: AP Photo/Julie Jacobson]
Showtime Anytime brings live and on-demand streaming to Apple TV
Showtime's Anytime streaming portal has already been available to Xbox 360, Roku and other capable gadgets with the proper cable subscription. Now, Apple TV owners can access the network's library of programming and the cable channel's live feed (East and West coast) via the compact set-top box. Customers on Time Warner Cable, Comcast Xfinity, Cox, DirecTV, AT&T U-Verse, Verizon FiOS, Optimum and Bright House Networks can input their credentials to start streaming the likes of Dexter, Homeland, and Masters of Sex -- just to name a few. If you'll recall, Apple TV also received apps for NFL Now, ACC Sports and WWE Network (among others) over the last few months.
Showtime's Anytime TV service starts streaming on your Xbox 360
If you're hanging on to an Xbox 360, you now have an easy way to catch up on Nurse Jackie or Penny Dreadful without reaching for the DVR remote. Showtime Anytime has finally reached Microsoft's previous-generation game console, letting you stream both live and on-demand shows so long as you already get Showtime through a conventional TV provider. It won't please cord cutters any more than earlier Anytime releases because of that limitation, but it should be handy for a bedroom TV. And don't fret, Xbox One owners -- there's an app coming for the newer system later this year, so you won't be Showtime-free for much longer.
Amazon Fire TV's voice search expands to cover Hulu Plus and Showtime, but not Netflix
Fire TV came out of the gate with an impressive initial effort, however one of its rough edges is that the voice search is actually quite limited. At launch it could only provide results from Amazon's own movie and TV selections or music videos from Vevo, but the company is already adding new services to the mix. Hulu Plus, Showtime Anytime and Crackle are first up, which is a good list, but it's still missing Netflix. The new services will start popping up later this summer, which gives Amazon more than enough time to make sure a query for House of Cards pulls it up on both Netflix and Amazon video on-demand. This also makes it more competitive with similar features on competitors like Roku and Xbox, once it's filled out. Amazon is also working on new features, including one that we hadn't noticed before called "Prime Browse." Joning FreeTime parental controls and MP3 music access on the "coming soon" list, it appears that Prime browse will solve one of our other initial frustrations, and filter a view for only the content that's included with the Prime subscription service. More games and services are also on the way of course, but if you have a specific request for Amazon's developers, feel free to leave it here.
Charter customers can finally access Showtime on their mobile devices
If you thought Time Warner Cable was late to the Showtime party, think again. Charter subscribers have been waiting for access since 2011, and now it's finally here. Starting today, customers can join in with the the rest of the cable crowd and stream live (or past) episodes of their favorite Showtime production on its Showtime Anytime app, which is available on iOS, Android, Roku and the web. As long as you have a Showtime subscription, getting your Homeland fix is as easy as signing into the app with your Charter username and password. Additionally, the same programming from Showtime Anytime will be available from Charter.net and the company's TV app in the near future.
Showtime Anytime apps for Android and iOS updated to deliver live programming
We've been accustomed to having mobile access to the entire back catalog of our favorite Showtime series via the Showtime Anytime app since its launch in 2011. Users will no longer be limited to past episodes on their handsets and tablets, however, as both the Android and iOS apps were updated today with the ability to stream a live feed of whatever's airing on Showtime. All you need to do is install the update, choose whether Showtime East or West best suits your viewing preference, and you'll be able to enjoy Dexter perform his latest ritual on your mobile device every Sunday night.
Showtime Anytime now available to Verizon FiOS TV customers (hands-on)
Adding to Verizon FiOS TV's impressive lineup of streaming services bundled with its premium TV service, Showtime Anytime can now be access by FiOS TV subscribers. This deal also ensures subscribers will continue to able to add Showtime, The Movie Channel and Flix to their lineup through 2017. We took a quick look at the Showtime Anytime iPad app, originally launched in October, and found it very polished and easy to navigate.
Showtime launches Anytime streaming portal, social iPad app
Just in time for the return of everyone's favorite serial killer, Showtime Anytime soft-launched recently, bringing online access to the network's library of movies, TV shows and more. Multichannel News reports AT&T U-verse subscribers are the first to gain access, although this same content has already been streaming on Comcast's Xfinity TV website and app. It's no HBO Go yet -- more cable companies and a few mobile apps will be necessary to match its rival there -- but the approach is the same, after pulling its shows from Netflix this TV Everywhere offering hopes to add enough value to keep viewers on the traditional pay-TV train a little longer. While there's no self-branded streaming app yet, the channel has also launched a Showtime Social iPad app to keep viewers tied in with their friends and other viewers while they watch -- let us know if it makes Dexter any more / less creepy.
